Bert's Alerts - October 14, 2016
In the Spotlight
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College of Western Idaho (CWI) will welcome over 50 employers to campus on Friday, Oct. 21, for CWI’s 2016 Fall Job Fair. The event is open to the public and will focus on seasonal employment and jobs that may be ideal for students working their way through school. The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CWI’s Nampa Campus Aspen Classroom Building. For more information, read the full article below.
CWI in the News
Nampa Chamber of Commerce votes unanimously to support CWI bond election - Idaho Press-Tribune
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree artwork complete - KTVB
Election roundup: What to know before casting your ballot - KTVB
College of Western Idaho bond: What would you get for $180 million - Idaho Press-Tribune
News Highlights
VIDEO: Accreditation Update
Accreditation Update
College of Western Idaho (CWI) President Bert Glandon has recorded a short update on CWI’s Accreditation process along with a thank you message for all the effort and energy put into moving the College closer to independent Accreditation.
CWI Transitioning to Career and Technical Education
With the state division of technical education’s decision to rebrand Professional Technical Education as Career and Technical Education, College of Western Idaho (CWI) is in the process of also transitioning the name of its technical education division. The move to Career and Technical Education will require updates to several systems and materials. CWI’s Marketing and Advancement Department has created a transition plan that is approved by the College’s Executive Team. A transition timeline is available to view on myCWI.
Some points worth noting:
- Name format - the following written formats are approved to represent Career and Technical Education
- Career & Technical Education can be used for headings and standalone instances; Career and Technical Education when used in body text (no ampersand).
- Career and Technical Education should be spelled out in first reference. For all following mentions, it can be abbreviated to CTE.
- Transition statement - to help bridge the gap between former and current names of technical education, a transition statement has been created for use where space allows to help clarify changes in the name. Best practices encourage the use of this transition statement for as long as a year before being removed from communication.
- Career and Technical Education (formerly Professional Technical Education)
- Building name – all items associated with the building name for the Nampa Campus Micron Center are still in discussion and will be addressed as part of phase II of the transition.
For any questions related to the update of materials, timing, or additional items that should be incorporated as part of this transition please contact the Marketing and Advancement Department.
CWI Student Makes the Most of Long Distance Opportunity
Andrew Castro knows how life changing a long-distance move can be. At eight years old, Castro’s parents relocated him and his four siblings 2,500 miles from White Plains, New York to Nampa, Idaho. Although it was a big undertaking, it provided a lifestyle change the family was looking for.
Fast forward 11 years, Castro has embarked on another 2,000-plus mile journey that could also have life-long impact. The College of Western Idaho (CWI) sophomore was selected to spend the fall semester working as an intern for United States Senator Jim Risch in Washington, D.C. Castro is one of just three students selected for the internship, and the only one currently attending a community college.
“I saw the email and my heart nearly exploded,” Castro recalls. “I was certainly enthusiastic and humbled.”
While Castro was surprised to receive the news, his resume certainly made him a strong candidate. The CWI Political Science major graduated from Columbia High School in 2015 with a 3.9 grade point average. He served as president of the school’s Theatre Club, while also being elected Student Body President as a senior and student representative three times. As if that weren’t enough, as a senior he also competed on Columbia’s speech and debate team.
“I loved serving as a sort of liaison between those above me and the students I represented. Columbia, and its amazing leadership and faculty as a whole, helped to nurture my passions and talents.”
His experience serving others inspired Castro to pursue a career in public office. Although his current political opportunity didn’t come without a push from one of his instructors at CWI.
“I was hesitant to give up my comfort in Nampa, Idaho to pursue my goals in Washington, D.C. Without [CWI Assistant Professor] Rob Harbaugh’s persistence I can say for sure I would not be here because I did not first seek the internship; in many ways, the internship found me. Rob has been beyond influential and has served as a mentor beyond compare. This internship materialized because of Rob’s diligence.”
Thanks to Harbaugh’s encouragement Castro applied and completed the interview process. The rest is history. Through incredible fundraising support from his friends and family, Castro is living in D.C. through mid-December. He is excited for the opportunities that will be realized in the next few months.
“Such an experience will open many connections to the D.C. area that can be utilized later in my life. I want to pursue a political science degree and eventually serve in elected office. Whether that’s the people of Idaho, or perhaps in a broader context, I know the possibilities have only begun.”
When Castro returns to campus, he expects to have one semester left. He plans to compete with CWI’s Speech and Debate team in the spring. Castro hasn’t decided where he will transfer but he is confident he will be fully prepared for wherever life takes him next; regardless if it is near or far.
“I've enjoyed my education from [CWI]. My classes thus far have helped challenge my writing abilities and critical thinking all the while helping me to better understand why it is I believe what I believe. I can't think of a better goal from a college than that.”
Reaping the Benefits of Grant-Funded Research
For the first time in College of Western Idaho (CWI) history, the College is reaping the direct benefit of supporting students through grant-funded research projects. Thanks to Idaho EPSCoR and the National Science Foundation, seven Biology students had the opportunity to spend their summer vacations conducting field research on birds, butterflies, and freshwater mollusks. Once their research was complete, they contributed their data and findings to the greater scientific community.
Chasing Butterflies
CWI students Vance McFarland and Manny Reyes spent four to six hours a day, five days a week walking among ticks, mosquitos, and 90-plus degree days chasing butterflies in an effort to save them. Monarchs are being considered for endangered species status. They live and lay their eggs on a plant called Showy Milkweed. The research duo and their instructor, Dusty Perkins, searched for evidence that Monarchs are using two milkweed hotspots in the Treasure Valley. Much to their delight, they are. Their data will be contributed to a nationwide modeling and conservation effort. Read the full story.
Up-Close With Birds of Prey
Perkins and three students had the opportunity to get up-close and personal with birds of prey. CWI alum Ty Styhl, CWI student Andrew Dorrell, and Humboldt State University student Lizzie Meisman participated in an osprey research project. The team monitored more than 150 osprey nests from south of Cascade in Valley County to north of McCall. They checked the nests one-by-one. Each nestling they touched was weighed, measured, checked from wing-to-wing and everywhere in between, and then photographed before being replaced safely in its nest. The data they collected will be provided to Idaho’s land managers. Read the full story.
Diving Into Freshwater
CWI students Kassandra Townsend and Andrew Barrios sent their summer literally diving into freshwater. The duo conducted their research on freshwater mollusks in the Boise and Payette Rivers. They worked with Biology professor Steve Lysne to identify, sample, and preserve a number of different species. Mollusks are considered a useful indicator species—similar to osprey. They are sensitive to a number of contaminants and environmental factors. They can help monitor water quality and ecosystem health in areas impacted by humans.
Presenting Their Findings
At the end of their 10-week research experience, each student presented their work at the Idaho Summer Research Symposium held at Boise State University on Aug. 12. More than 60 students, almost all of which were first-generation college students, participated in the event along with their faculty mentors. When asked, most students said working with their mentors was the best part of their research projects. It gave them a real-world view of life after graduating.
“These opportunities really give students the hands-on experience that gives them the shot in the arm to go out and really continue their academic and professional careers,” Perkins said. “It is also an incredible opportunity to provide undergraduate research opportunities for our students, and to become an academic institution of distinction.”
CWI Faculty and Students Join Watershed Watch
On Saturday, Oct. 1, Treasure Valley citizen scientists gathered at Martin’s Landing in Parma at the confluence of the Snake and Boise Rivers to monitor water quality. Martin’s Landing was one of more than a dozen sites monitored as part of Watershed Watch, an annual community event organized by the Boise WaterShed Environmental Education Center. Many of the 45 attendees in Parma were students from College of Western Idaho (CWI) invited by site trainer environmental chemist Rebecca Flock, a Treasure Valley native and faculty at CWI.
The event kicked off by getting into the mud and collecting bugs. Karen Strickler, a Parma resident and CWI biology instructor, helped teams collect aquatic plants, insects, and other macroinvertebrates. Groups checked for invasive species known to cause problems with biodiversity. They also looked for native species uniquely adapted to Idaho’s river ecosystems.
Linda Phillips, representing Parma Research and Extension Center as well as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, demonstrated how erosion can reduce water clarity and quality. Students were awed as the dirt clod from a highly tilled soil rained down tiny dust particles and muddied the water, meanwhile a dirt clod from an un-tilled garden stayed perfectly intact. Students could see that preserving our rivers is closely linked with taking care of the soils throughout the Boise River Watershed.
Bryan Hess, another CWI Chemistry faculty member, gave a demonstration about dissolved gasses and sent teams to measure for water quality parameters of dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH. Flock wrapped up the morning's events with nitrate and phosphorus measurement, nutrient pollutants that have been known to be an issue in the Boise River. Excess nutrients in the water can cause excessive algae growth and potentially mobilize toxins at downstream locations. Flock observed, “We affect each other, and are connected to each other, through our waterways.”
“Our goal with Watershed Watch is to raise community awareness about the health of the Boise River and how we can keep it clean for future generations," said Cindy Busche, education coordinator with the Boise WaterShed.
The data gathered by the citizen scientists will be posted on the Watershed Watch website and may be used by regulatory agencies in their water-quality analyses. The event is co-sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey, the Bureau of Reclamation, Partners for Clean Water, SUEZ, the cities of Meridian and Caldwell, and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
To get involved in future events, contact rebeccaflock@cwi.edu or visit www.BoiseWatershedWatch.org.
Visiting Artist Series Brings the Beat
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will welcome local music educator and master percussionist, David Gluck, to campus this month for the next edition of CWI’s Visiting Artist Series. Gluck will be guiding participants through a world of percussion styles in a pair of workshops at the Nampa Campus Academic Building. Workshops will be held:
Friday, Oct. 14 – 6 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 15 – 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
The weekend will conclude with a concert by student participants and the David Gluck Band at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The event is free and open to the public.
The CWI Visiting Artist Series features both visual and performing artists. It is made possible thanks to a grant from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, which is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information or to reserve a spot in the workshop, contact Jeff Davis at 208.562.3255 or jeffreydavis@cwi.edu by Oct. 12.
Renowned Forensic Science Expert to Speak at CWI
The public is invited to College of Western Idaho (CWI) for a special guest lecture by renowned forensic science expert Dr. Greg Hampikian, executive director of the Idaho Innocence Project. Dr. Hampikian will visit CWI on Wednesday (Oct. 19) for a presentation on the use of forensic DNA to exonerate innocent people on death row. The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. in room 201E of CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building.
Dr. Hampikian is a Biology and Criminal Justice professor at Boise State University. He has worked on more than a dozen exonerations throughout his career; both in the United States and internationally. Hampikian has been featured on several national television shows, including CBS’s 48 Hours.
CWI to Host “Art in Public Places” Discussion
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will welcome an impressive panel of local artists, educators, and leaders to campus this month for a conversation on the social and economic impacts of public art. CWI will host “Art in Public Places: The Power of Art to Unite Communities” on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 6-8 p.m. at the College’s Micron Center for Professional Technical Education in Nampa. The event is free and open to the public.
The panel will include:
- Kathleen Keys, moderator (Department Chair, Department of Art at Boise State University)
- Karen Brown (Art History Faculty, CWI)
- Karen Bubb (Boise City Art and History Department)
- Alma Gomez (Artist)
- Antonia Wynn (Nampa Art Collective)
- Colby Ackers (Artist and Founder of Boise’s Freak Alley)
- Mark Baltes (Artist)
The Micron Center is home to CWI’s first public art display; a mural titled “Spirit of Collaboration” commissioned by Alma Gomez. The artwork was created with input from CWI students and faculty, and partially funded by the Idaho Humanities Council. CWI is developing its public art program with a goal of strengthening connections with the community and providing valuable learning experiences for students.
Immediately following the panel discussion, there will be a reception with a question and answer session and an opportunity for extended conversation. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information contact Brenda Fisher at brendafisher@cwi.edu or Karen Brown at karenbrown@cwi.edu.
Job Fair Coming to CWI
College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Career Services will help students and community members connect with job opportunities at CWI’s 2016 Fall Job Fair. The event is open to the public and will focus on seasonal employment and jobs that may be ideal for students working their way through school. The fair, which is presented in partnership with the Idaho Department of Labor, will take place:
Friday, Oct. 21
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
CWI’s Nampa Campus Aspen Classroom Building
View Map
Over 50 employers have registered for the job fair. Job seekers at the event will also have the opportunity to learn about resources from CWI and Idaho Department of Labor. Attendees are encouraged to take their resume and be prepared to interview with employers. Please email loriyellen@cwi.edu with any questions.
Annual CWI Halloween Costume Contest is Oct. 31
College of Western Idaho (CWI) employees are invited to showcase their spooky spirit on Monday, Oct. 31, by participating in the CWI Culture and Employee Engagement Committee’s annual Halloween Costume Contest.
Prizes will be awarded for the following:
- Best Overall Individual
- Best Overall Group
- Best Overall by Building
To enter, simply send photos of your costume or group’s costumes to ceec@cwi.edu by end of day Nov. 1. Winners will be announced on Nov. 4. Costumes must be worn to work to be considered for a prize.
New Diversity Webpage Announced
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Inclusive Excellence committee would like to introduce CWI's new diversity webpage, located at cwi.edu/info/diversity. The webpage offers information in regards to diversity efforts at CWI, including bios on committee members, resources, college demographics, and a calendar of events. Resources are related to:
- Campus
- Community
- Policies
- Teaching Diversity and Inclusion
Please contact diversitycommittee@cwi.edu with any questions.
Business Office Training Fall 2016 Update
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Business Office is available as a resource to all departments to provide training and answer questions on fiscal topics, upon request. Trainings can be customized for a specific audience, topic, or time frame to meet individual department needs. Periodically, the Business Office will offer college-wide training on topics of mutual interest. Watch for upcoming announcements on training sessions for the following topics:
- Events management
- Travel
- Service contracts and agreements
Training on the topics listed below are available at any time. Please contact the presenter to make arrangements. Presentations can be geared to staff in departmental or management roles, depending on the audience. If there is a topic of interest that is not included on the list below, please contact Brian Smith and the Business Office team will develop something for you.
Accounting:
Presenter: Brian D. Smith - BrianSmith2@cwi.edu
Topics: General Ledger Structure, Chart of Accounts, MyCWI, Gift/Prize/Award Form, Funds Transfer Form, Donations, Unrelated Business Income Tax, Invoicing, Cash Handling, Payroll, Project Accounting, Accruals and Prepaid Expenses, and Financial Statement Review
Accounts Payable:
Presenter: Renee Watson - ReneeWatson@cwi.edu
Topics: Accounts Payable Processes; Travel; Events; Prior Approval and Expense Forms for Travel, Meals, and Gifts; Fuel Pins; Interdepartmental Charges
Budgets
Presenter: Phil Varrick - PhilVarrick@cwi.edu or Dave Sorensen - davesorensen@cwi.edu
Topics: CWI Budget Process, Completing a Budget, Budget Transfers and Adjustments, MyCWI Budget Access, Using MyCWI, and Budget Management
Contracts and Formal Procurement
Presenter: Janet Gonzalez JanetGonzalez@cwi.edu
Topics: Types of Contracts, Pertinent Clauses, Signature Authority, Contract Management, Contract Submittal, Procurement Options, and Ethics in Purchasing; Usage of Statewide and Cooperative Contracts; Service Contracts
Procurement and Fixed Assets:
Presenter: Shari Davis - ShariDavis@cwi.edu
Topics: Purchase Order Processes – Initiating a Purchase Order, Purchasing Policies and Constraints, Signature and Bidding Requirements, and Purchase Order Management
Fixed Assets – Asset Acquisition Processes, Inventory Processes, Disposal Options and Procedures, and Policy and Legal Constraints
P-Cards
Presenter: Susan Kodesh - SusanKodesh@cwi.edu
Topics: Getting Started, Accessing US Bank, Purchasing and Card Usage, Documentation, Monthly Processing, and P-card Approval and Management Processes
HR Updates
Welcome New Colleagues
Cate Collins: Sr Research Analyst
Nicole Goodell: Specialist, One Stop eCampus
Tennly Paul-Bowden: Advisor, Academic Advising
Patrick Reindel: Specialist, One Stop eCampus
Consuelo Solis-Garcia: Manager I, Scholarships
Colette Thomas: Advisor, Academic Advising
Katie Silveria:Teacher
Congratulations Colleagues in New Roles
Kelli Whitworth: Temporary, Administrative Assistant
Lindsey Lee: Specialist, Financial Aid
Employment Opportunities
There are no new job postings at CWI this week. Employees can access internal job postings by visiting cwinternal.silkroad.com/ or view all external listings on cwijobs.silkroad.com. Jobs are posted as they open throughout the week. Upon application submittal, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive an email, check your "Junk/Spam" folder, then email HR@cwi.edu to verify receipt of your application.
Note: This is the official communication newsletter for the College. Content is driven by contributions gathered from all areas of CWI. If you have news you would like to submit for this, please use a Marketing Help Desk ticket.